Page 37 of Trusting Skulls

“Do it.”

Without hesitation, he drops the heel of his boot right in the middle of the screen.

Raffe leans across the table and tips my chin toward him. “I’m proud of you. That was a great first start at being kinder to yourself.”

I take a deep breath. “I’ve never known where to begin. Thank you for being here to point me in the right direction.”

Chapter Fourteen

Ash

Delivering coffee to my girl was one hundred percent worth the ass chewing I got from Dirk. He told me I was supposed to be taking this time to get acclimated. I am. There isn’t a better way to adjust than a camping trip in the great outdoors.

I’m back in town now, calming everyone’s nerves, but I’m really in town to pick up a new phone for Lex. Dirk told me that she had him destroy her old one, but I don’t want her to be without. Plus, this gives me the chance to program it safely. At least that’s what I tell myself when I set it up so I can track her. But don’t worry, she’ll also be able to see my location. This isn’t one-sided.

I bump into JD as I’m headed out the door.

“Ash, it’s good to see you brother,” he says, hugging me with a heavy pat on the back.

“Damn, man. Married life looks good on you,” I tell him. He’s as happy as I’ve ever seen him. He fucking deserves it,though. He’s a good man. I’ve spent many late nights in deep conversation with him.

“I’m just grabbing a new phone charger. Our puppy chewed the fuck out of mine. Why don’t you head over to the house? I’ll grill up some steaks.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” I’m anxious to get back on the mountain.

“Come on. My old lady really wants to meet you.”

I would like to talk to her about Lex, but …

“I’m not taking no for an answer, fucker. Get going.” He swats my ass with his hat.

“Alright. I won’t scare her pulling up unannounced, will I?” My sister told me Elizabeth went through some pretty traumatic shit in her past. I sure don’t want to trigger her in any way.

JD places a hand on my chest. “Thank you for your concern. I’ll give her a call and let her know you’re heading over.”

I start to back away from him.

“Damn it’s good to see you out and about,” he says again as he opens the door.

We give each other a parting wave before he disappears inside.

I’m anxious to meet the woman who’s made a connection with Lexie. As soon as I pull in, I see her waiting for me on the porch. Holy shit. Way to go JD. The woman is incredibly beautiful. A golden retriever puppy jumps excitedly around her feet.

“You must be Ash.”

My gaze bounces around the junkyard. “The one and only, but I’m not sure where I’m at.”

She laughs. “It looks a little different around here, huh?”

I nod, running my hand over my mouth. “I like it though.”

“Come on in. I just pulled a fresh batch of cookies from the oven.”

The promise of a warm homemade dessert has me jogging up the stairs. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

JD’s house has always been welcoming, but his new wife’s presence seems to make it even more so.

“I’ve been excited to meet you,” she says over her shoulder as she arranges cookies on a plate. “Coffee?”

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